Four Hundred Followers - GIVEAWAY!!

As I mentioned earlier - I decided to do a giveaway when I reached 400 followers.  Well, wouldn't ya know - I hit 400 followers today!!  And two more lovely ladies beyond that too.  :-)

So, it's GIVEAWAY time!!  Usually, I tell you what I'm giving away.

But that's getting too predictable... so it's a mystery giveaway.  (Heeheehee...I'm so mean!)

So...
Feel free to guess what I might be giving away. But I'm not giving any hints!

And here are the rules:
ONE entry for following me.
ONE entry for following me on Twitter.
ONE entry for Tweeting my giveaway (leave a comment with the link!)
ONE entry for having either my blog button or Tuesdays At The Table button on your sidebar.

Please make sure to comment what entries you get, so I can give you credit!!  All entries must be received by Monday, April 4th at midnight.  :-)

Tuesdays At The Table - Crab Rangoon

Happy Tuesday!  If you follow me on Twitter, you've already seen me ask this...but can we skip to the weekend?  It's been a long week already!

Before I talk about my recipe for the day - I have a little "housekeeping".  Stick with me!!

A HUGE welcome to all the new faces that have been contributing recipes lately!  I love seeing new people join in on the fun.  :-)  Everyone is dropping by to encourage each other and thank each other for sharing, right?!?!

And while we're loosely on the subject of new people.... I'm one follower away from kicking off my "Oops, I forgot my blogoversary, but I want to have a giveaway" giveaway.  I'll also be kicking off my flip flop swap later this week!!

And lastly - here is my new Tuesdays At The Table button!  It was time for the button to get a face lift and Kirstren was fabulous enough to read my mind and create this for me.  Drop by and see her! (Sidenote: The box displaying the html code for the button keeps disappearing.  If you want the code for your blog - email me!)

I love, love, love crab rangoon!! Sure, I could go to one of the local restaurants when the craving hits...but sometimes, it's more fun to make them at home.

Crab Rangoon
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread
1 can (6 oz.) crabmeat, drained, flaked
30 wonton wrappers
1 1/2 cups oil

Mix cream cheese spread and crabmeat; spoon onto won ton wrappers, adding about 1 tsp. crabmeat mixture to each.

Moisten the edges of wrappers with water; fold diagonally in half. Press edges together to seal.

Heat oil in medium skillet or wok. Add won tons, in batches; cook 1 to 2 min. or until golden brown on both sides, turning once. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

What's cooking in your kitchen?



Want to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself? It is still FREE to sign up with Bamboopink and have your own personalized website to sell Bamboopink jewelry by JudeFrances. Over 25,000 people nationwide signed up in just over a month...and you can too! Click HERE. Don't want to sell, but want the inside track on discounts? Sign up!!

Bamboopink!

Hi Ladies!  Hope you all haven't gotten sick of my Bamboopink mini-ads at the bottom of some of my posts.  By and large, that's all you'll see - I want it to be an unobtrusive as possible. I'm very excited for how I think Bamboopink will change my life!  I want to share that with you.  :-)

bamboopink is more than jewelry, it's a lifestyle. bamboopink is affordable luxury. It is your very own direct sales business managed by you, which gives you the freedom to create your own destiny. Just like the bamboo plant representing strength and prosperity, along with feminine softness of the color pink, our company is designed to help you grow personally, financially and give you the freedom to blossom. bamboopink provides you the tools to fashion your own future by empowering you with the latest technologies, beautifully designed jewelry and the experience of successful entrepreneurs supporting you every step of the way.

With Bamboopink you are in business for yourself...not by yourself! Our company motto is, "the best way to predict the future, is to create it!"

Now that you've read my official pitch...I'm going to share with you the top few reasons why I signed up.

• I'm tired of being on the sidelines watching everyone else make money!!
• The jewelry is beautiful.  AND hypoallergenic!
• I look at Dell, at Mary Kay, at Twitter, at countless other companies that started in a garage, house or dorm room and see their success.  If they can do it - so can Bamboopink. :-)
• There are already over 24 THOUSAND Bamboopink Independent Consultants.  How's that for a big support system?!?!

Wanna "kick the tires"? Signing up doesn't commit you to anything... Join in! I'll be hosting a call next week and will (unobtrusively, of course) be posting the time and dial-in number if you'd like to listen in. :-)

www.bamboopink.net/allthelilstuff

My Blogoversary Was WHEN?

Umm...Happy Blogoversary to me!

Just a smidge...er...way late.  It seems that while I was in a drug induced stupor recovering from surgery, I missed my 2nd blogoversary on February 23rd.

I want to thank each and every one of you for reading my blog.  It's a blessing that you drop by and read the craziness the seeps out of my brain and into Blogger.  :-)

To celebrate, I will be hosting a giveaway when I hit 400 followers! (Just one more; so close!!)

Stay tuned...

Pretty Little Buttons!!

Guess what?!  My fabulous cousin Kirstren (aka Kristin) made me a new Tuesdays at the Table button today!

Isn't it pretty?!?!  I absolutely love it!  It was time for a TATT button face-lift and I'm so happy that Kirstren was able to hook a girl up...um...help her favorite cousin....uh...make something so pretty.  :-)

This weekend I'll do a little bloggy updating so you can all grab the button too.

Do you need a new button?  Perhaps a super cute signature?  Drop on by Kirstren's blog! I know she'll put her creative mind to good use and make you something fabulous!



Maybe if I'm super lucky, she'll do a button for my upcoming flip-flop swap.... :-)

Well, DAMN!

Ever have one of those times where someone (or life) surprises you?!  And not in a GOOD way?

Yeah. Today was one of those days....

JC (my brother, for those of you new to ye olde blog) called my office as I was booting up for the day.  No "Hi, how are ya?", "Whatcha doin'?", "Where'd ya put the fabric softener?".  Nothing.  Instead I got yelled at - to open a new web page - NOWWWW!

It turns out that one of JC's friends up in the north country (and you Army ladies know exactly where I'm talking about) did something colossally stupid. Twice. And got caught.

This man, whom I have previously held in high esteem - decided to rob a store pharmacy of their Oxycontin. The same place both times!  One time while wearing the platoon sweatshirt!  He parked is truck in plain sight of the security cameras!

I know this man!  I've spent hours talking to him, goofing around with him, his wife and their two kids.  My heart breaks for his wife and their two sweet pre-teen kids.  The only consolation is that they live a few states away and can be shielded from this a little.

It's way too soon to know how this will all pan out - but I'm not encouraged by the fact that he's being held on $25,000 bail.  I can't help but wonder if his cries for help were missed by all of us.  How did we not know?!?!  Not a single one of us...

...and all I can say is - well, damn!  Now what?!?!

Tuesdays At The Table - Buttermilk Biscuits

Happy Tuesday, ladies!!  And better yet - HAPPY SPRING! It snowed here today...but it will warm up eventually.  :-)

This week I'm sharing buttermilk biscuits.  So easy; so yummy; so versatile!

Buttermilk Biscuits

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cold vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons cold butter
1 1/3 cup buttermilk

Egg Wash
In a small bowl beat together one large egg with 1 tablespoon water.



Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until combined well. Cut in the butter and shortening until mixture resembles small peas. Stirring with a fork, gently add in buttermilk to make a soft dough. With floured hands knead dough gently, in bowl.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat biscuit dough to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with a floured 2-inch biscuit cutter.

Place cut-out dough about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Brush buttermilk biscuit tops with Egg Wash. Bake biscuits in the center of the oven for 14-17 minutes, until golden brown.

What's cooking in your kitchen?



Want to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself? It is still FREE to sign up with Bamboopink and have your own personalized website to sell Bamboopink jewelry by JudeFrances. Over 22,000 people nationwide signed up in just over a month...and you can too! Click HERE. Don't want to sell, but want the inside track on discounts?  Sign up!!

Sunday Sharing...

It's been a really busy weekend...and I just can't think of a good way to wrap up the randomness in my head into a pretty little bow. 

Or maybe it's just an excuse to use bullet points.  Either way; here we go!

• Saturday afternoon I had my eye doctor's appointment.  My vision didn't change AT ALL!! HURRAY!  Because of that - the doctor didn't dilate my eyes. 
• If I wasn't said by my new eye doctor, I would have taken "You have the most beautiful eyes" as a pick-up line. *gag*
• I picked out new frames - yippee!! I went with the Coach Hilary in tortoise shell.  :-)

• I'm contemplating buying a pair of clippers and giving Beckett a fur-cut myself instead of bringing him to the groomer.  No good reason...I just think it's something I could do at home cheaper.
• Last night I did a little Internet shopping.  :-)  Just Land's End, but I'm sure I'll do more as the weather warms up!  I am proud that I started with a total of $154, and after a discount code and two gift certificates - I ended up paying $74.95!
• Have any of you heard of Ribena before?  I've been to the UK multiple times and get my fair share of this yummy black currant drink each time.  Last month I found a nearby import company that deals with British delights.  Since then, I've been re-developing my addiction to Ribena. 

• I'm loving Bamboo*Pink! It was a complete leap of faith, signing up in the first few weeks.  But I'm so glad I did.  The compensation plan is going to be fabulous; I learned a few days ago that the jewelry is hypoallergenic (!!); and the pictures I've seen of the jewelry are gorgeous.  For those of you that don't necessarily want to be Bamboo*Pink consultants, but want to see what it's all about - I encourage you to sign up!  Join in on a few of our calls and hear for yourself. If you decide it's not for you, there's no commitment and you'll get member's only discounts! :-) 

Finding Frames

I have an eye doctor appointment on Saturday.  Luckily, it's just a "well visit".  However, I haven't been in a few years (bad girl!!).   My least favorite part of the exam is having my eyes dialated.  It always ends up with me getting a killer headache.

My favorite part? I get to pick out new frames!  I have a hard time picking out frames though... I never know what looks good on me.  I do have a few that I've been "eyeing" though. (I know, bad joke.)

BCBG - Aurora

Coach - Gloria

Coach - Hillary

Mark Jacobs - Shiny

I need to get new contact lenses too ladies.  What brand are you using?  I've been doing disposables for YEARS now. 




Great news!!! It is still FREE to sign up with Bamboopink and have your own personalized website to sell Bamboopink jewelry by JudeFrances. Over 20,000 people nationwide signed up in just over a month...and you can too! Click HERE.

Tuesdays At The Table - Chocolate Caramel Layer Bars

HAPPY TUESDAY!  It's one of those weeks were I choose to be happy...no matter what's going on around me!

Monday was National Pie Day.  Did you know that?  I completely missed it! Maybe next year... :-)

Sign up for FREE to join my Bamboo*Pink team.  I can't tell you how excited I am about this new business opportunity!  The compensation plan is fabulous, the jewelry is gorgeous, and I want to let YOU join in on the fun as we build the brand!

This week I'm sharing some yummy bars from the Pillsbury website.

Chocolate Caramel Layer Bars

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated chocolate chip cookies

1 bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)

1 container (18 oz) caramel apple dip (1 1/2 cups)

3 cups Rice Chex cereal

1 cup chopped peanuts

Heat oven to 350°F.  Break up cookie dough in a 9x13 pan. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook 1 cup of the chips and 1 cup of the dip over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal and peanuts.

Spread cereal mixture over cooled crust. In 1-quart saucepan, heat remaining chips and dip over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Spread over cereal mixture. Refrigerate until chocolate mixture is set, about 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store tightly covered.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Did I Do That?!?! - A Note From Beckett

Hi! Iz Beckett.  Momma says she can't concentrate with the sound of her credit card crying so loudly - so I need to tell you what I "did" yesterday to make the credit card so sad. Though, I do have to say - iz dachshunds on the card, so technically, they are howling in pain.

Sigh. Just tell the story Beckett.

OK.  Me and my sib-ster Meadow hang out a lot at Grammy and Grampy's house cuz Momma still haz no fence at da yard of our new house.  We iz good at opening the indoor gates.  Really good.  We got skillz.

Beckett...... STORY!

Meadow opened the fence in Grammy's living room.  We gotz in and I found the CHOCOLATE!  An entire bag of milk chocolate chips from the Grammy's baking stash that she thought was well hidden.  So I atez the entire bag all by myself.  And chocolate makes you thirsty.  Did you knowz dat?!

So I drank and drank and drank.  Then, I erupted like Mount Vesuvius! No gaggy sounds.  Just barf. Of course, Grammy had no clue I ate chocolate. So after the 9th or 10th pukey, she brought me to the V-E-T!  My tummy was so distended, that at first they thought I might have bloat.

After lots of x-rays, and poking & prodding - they decided they needed to see into my tummy.  I heard dat, got upset, realized that my Momma wasn't with me and tried to make a break for it.

Seriously. They did x-rays, and as soon as they said surgery - he ran out of the procedure room.  The vet tech laughingly told me that it took three of them to catch him.

I gotz an IV, and had a good nap.  Momma said that they flushed all the chocolate out of me and then made me eat charcoal twice.  The worst part?  I hadz to stay in the V-E-T office overnight.  I mean, my favorite tech Cass stayed with me...but no Momma!

I was really lucky, and Cass let me come visit Beckett even though the vet's office closed at 5 (I couldn't get there sooner).  She also proclaimed him an absolute angel.  I just wish I hadn't had to pay so much money to hear that...

Seez?  I still haz a chubby tummy.  At least I get to rest with my Momma now.

Tuesdays At The Table - Crockpot Orange Chicken

Happy Tuesday! How was everyone's weekend?  I'm already having the kind of week that has me asking "Is it Friday yet?" 

Maybe next week will be stress-free?  *Fingers crossed*

Oh, and there's still a week left to join me for free in my Bamboo Pink journey. I'm really excited about it! :-)

This week I'm sharing one of my favorite crockpot recipes - Orange chicken!!

Crockpot Orange Chicken

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken, cut in 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon olive oil, for browning the chicken
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces (1/2 can) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed (no pulp)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons ketchup


Use a 4 quart slow cooker for best results. Dredge the chicken pieces in flour, and shake off the excess. Throw out any unused flour. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on the stove and brown the chicken on all sides. (Just sear it enough to get a nice coating).

Throw the chicken pieces into your slow cooker. In a small mixing bowl, combine the orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt, and ketchup. Pour sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, and toss gingerly to coat.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 4. Serve over white or brown rice.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Bring On SPRING!

It was 65 degrees here in suburban Boston today.  I couldn't believe it!  I had to check the thermometer in my car three or four times before I decided that it wasn't something fluke-ish going on.  :-)

Well, Mother Nature...now you've done it.  You gave me a taste of warm weather, and I'm demanding that you hurry the heck up and bring on Spring.

And a new season means I get to buy a few new things, right?!?!  Here's my current wish list.

I think this shirt dress is so cute!!

I have to support my beloved Red Sox, and I{heart}argyle.

I got to spend some time today with my cousin and her guy, teaching their son to ride his bike.  I got me thinking... I haven't gone on a bike ride in YEARS.  I used to love to ride my bike!

 Espadrilles just say SUMMER!!!!!!!

What?!?!  They're pink and argyle.  So cute!



I don't think I want the twin set, just the ruffled cardigan. :-)

What's on your wish list?

Dashboard Blogger Confessional

I'm in the mood to share today...or maybe "over share". I apologize in advance for my ramblings.

In no particular order:

• I'm exhausted, ladies!  I thought I'd be able to "get up and go" Monday when it came time to return to work.  I've been an insomniac since puberty - not needing more than a few hours a night to get by.  Since the surgery, I need a solid six hours.  And even then, I wake up tired.  Which brings me to my next confession.
• I fell asleep while driving to work on Thursday morning.  Yep.  Asleep in the FAST LANE of the highway.  And I know I drifted a few other times during the commute too.  I am so, so, so lucky that I didn't get into an accident.
• I haven't done my taxes yet.  I haven't even gotten my W-2 from my company!
• One of my besties just adopted a lab from a rescue organization this week.  I can't wait to meet Clark!
• I really want to be done with snow for the year.  I'm good with the cold weather (in fact, I'd much rather be cold than hot), but shoveling has always been low on my list of favorite activities - and now I'm not allowed to shovel at all until next year.
• I'm planning to host a swap this Spring.  Flip-flop swap, anybody?  I'll get more details out in about a month.
• One day I got really bored and wrote out a list of all the things I do/people I'd help if I ever won the lottery.  Am I the only one who actually has a plan for completely improbable situations?!?!

That's all I got.  For now. :-)